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previous years we were able to address questions publicly but for the past two years this has been disallowed and we have to ask questions to our representative in camera and receive the answer in camera. I think that open discussion in which the public can also air their views through newspapers is much more helpful and beneficial to all concerned than the present arrangement. I trust that consideration will be given to a more open and active approach to the traffic advisory board through our representative. We of the Reform Club do indeed go much further and say that the time has come for a highway authority to be set up, and that this Council should either be the Authority or, as with the Housing Authority, be ex-officio part of the Authority. This is a proposal that we will shortly place before the Council. With these words may I say that I accept the statement of progress and policy before us today. (Applause).
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, you may be happy to know that my set speech is quite short today. But I am going to take this opportunity to make some observations on what has already been said. I am wondering if it is not indicative of the extent to which the Elected Members co-operate with each other, since this year the Reform Club members have thought it fitting to follow the Civic members' example in not putting forward a platform.
Mr. Bernacchi has spoken of the success of the Reform Club at the recent elections. To me it is a sort of success in which both sides have come out with a certain amount of face. They have got three out of the four seats and we have one seat more. I believe he mentioned the term "police state" during his speech. I would admit that in Hong Kong the constitution of this colony is in some ways anachronistic, but I do not believe, and I am sure Mr. Bernacchi agrees with me, that Hong Kong is by no means a police state. We are not a police state. If we were we would not have an increasing population coming into the Colony by ten thousand every month.
There is a lot in common in the aims and objects of the Reform Club and the Civic Association, but I would say that on one point there is a very strong difference of opinion, and that is on the question of the franchise. My friend Mr. Bernacchi has mentioned that he has heard rumours of violation of the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Ordinance. If there should be an extension of the franchise, any sudden and widespread extension of the franchise, wouldn't it open up a grosser violation of this Ordinance? I would say that if it is contemplated to widen the franchise precipitously, I think this matter should be given the most serious and careful consideration, because I believe the extension of the franchise has a lot to do with the prosperity and the stability of Hong Kong.
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33
My colleague Dr. Lee said that this is one occasion in the year when Councillors are able to express their views on many matters which are not directly related to the work of the Council. If I should avail myself of this opportunity to speak on the ills of Hong Kong, I think we should probably have breakfast tomorrow morning here, and I value the good will and respect the sentiments of my fellow Councillors too much to attempt to do so.
Dr. Lee has suggested that the name of the Council should be changed from that of Urban Council to City Council. In principle I certainly agree with him. I think that in fact we should call ourselves a Municipal Council. The term "city" perhaps would not be all-embracing, because there is Victoria City, Kowloon City, Kowloon City "City", and I shall later on put forward a proposal that this Council should be changed in name to that of Municipal Council.
I am not too happy over the term flatted schools by my friend Dr. Lee, because the term sounds rather flat, although I do agree we should have more schools in the resettlement estates.
Mr. Fung has mentioned, and quite rightly so, that the Appointed Members do make a serious contribution to the work of this Council, and that they have a very high attendance at committee meetings. The Civic Association members do catch up with them, and I presume that it is quite a well-known fact that Dr. P. F. Woo has the highest record of attendance at committee meetings in this Council.
I quite agree with Mr. Fung that we should have the most modern equipment for our city hall, and in particular I endorse the suggestion that we should get the most advanced translation equipment. I understand that in Brussels—I saw in Brussels last summer, the walkie-talkie type of equipment. I shall not mention the name of the maker but I believe that this is the type that the Council should consider.
Col. Clague has asked that we should watch carefully to what extent fees should be paid out for overtime, and I would strongly endorse his suggestion. I think it would be much more realistic to allow for an increase in staff so that they can have their annual leave every year. I have heard that many members of the staff do not get their proper annual vacation.
Mr. Chan Shu Woon has spoken about subsidies for roof top schools. I understand that my colleague Mr. Li Yiu Bor has already had this discussed in a previous meeting of the Resettlement Areas and Estates Committee, and representations have been made to the Education Department. I would go so far as to say that private schools not only in the resettlement areas, but also outside resettlement areas and
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previous years we were able to address questions publicly but for the past two years this has been disallowed and we have to ask questions to our representative in camera and receive the answer in camera. I think that open discussion in which the public can also air their views through newspapers is much more helpful and beneficial to all concerned than the present arrangement. I trust that consideration will be given to a more open and active approach to the traffic advisory board through our representative. We of the Reform Club do indeed go much further and say that the time has come for a highway authority to be set up, and that this Council should either be the Authority or, as with the Housing Authority, be ex-officio part of the Authority. This is a proposal that we will shortly place before the Council. With these words may I say that I accept the statement of progress and policy before us today. (Applause).
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, you may be happy to know that my set speech is quite short today. But I am going to take this opportunity to make some observations on what has already been said. I am wondering if it is not indicative of the extent to which the Elected Members co-operate with each other, since this year the Reform Club members have thought it fitting to follow the Civic members' example in not putting forward a platform.
Mr. Bernacchi has spoken of the success of the Reform Club at the recent elections. To me it is a sort of success in which both sides have come out with a certain amount of face. They have got three out of the four seats and we have one seat more. I believe he men- tioned the term "police state" during his speech. I would admit that in Hong Kong the constitution of this colony is in some ways anach- ronistic, but I do not believe, and I am sure Mr. Bernacchi agrees with me, that Hong Kong is by no means a police state. We are not a police state. If we were we would not have an increasing population coming into the Colony by ten thousand every month.
There is a lot in common in the aims and objects of the Reform Club and the Civic Association, but I would say that on one point there is a very strong difference of opinion, and that is on the question of the franchise. My friend Mr. Bernacchi has mentioned that he has heard rumours of violation of the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Ordinance. If there should be an extension of the franchise, any sudden and widespread extension of the franchise, wouldn't it open up a grosser violation of this Ordinance? I would say that if it is contemplated to widen the franchise precipitously, I think this matter should be given the most serious and careful consideration, because I believe the extension of the franchise has a lot to do with the prosperity and the stability of Hong Kong.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
33
My colleague Dr. Lee said that this is one occasion in the year when Councillors are able to express their views on many matters which are not directly related to the work of the Council. If I should avail myself of this opportunity to speak on the ills of Hong Kong, I think we should probably have breakfast tomorrow morning here, and I value the good will and respect the sentiments of my fellow Councillors too much to attempt to do so.
Dr. Lee has suggested that the name of the Council should be changed from that of Urban Council to City Council. In principle 1 certainly agree with him. I think that in fact we should call ourselves a Municipal Council. The term "city" perhaps would not be all- embracing, because there is Victoria City, Kowloon City, Kowloon City "City", and I shall later on put forward a proposal that this Council should be changed in name to that of Municipal Council.
I am not too happy over the term flatted schools by my friend Dr. Lee, because the term sounds rather flat, although I do agree we should have more schools in the resettlement estates.
Mr. Fung has mentioned, and quite rightly so, that the Appointed Members do make a serious contribution to the work of this Council, and that they have a very high attendance at committee meetings. The Civic Association members do catch up with them, and I presume that it is quite a well known fact that Dr. P. F. Woo has the highest record of attendance at committee meetings in this Council.
I quite agree with Mr. Fung that we should have the most modern equipment for our city hall, and in particular I endorse the suggestion that we should get the most advanced translation equipment. I under- stand that in Brussels-I saw in Brussels last summer, the walkie-talkie type of equipment. I shall not mention the name of the maker but I believe that this is the type that the Council should consider.
Col. Clague has asked that we should watch carefully to what extent fees should be paid out for overtime, and I would strongly endorse his suggestion. I think it would be much more realistic to allow for an increase in staff so that they can have their annual leave every year. I have heard that many members of the staff do not get their proper annual vacation.
Mr. Chan Shu Woon has spoken about subsidies for roof top schools. I understand that my colleague Mr. Li Yiu Bor has already had this discussed in a previous meeting of the Resettlement Areas and Estates Committee, and representations have been made to the Educa- tion Department. I would go so far as to say that private schools not only in the resettlement areas, but also outside resettlement areas and
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Private notes are available after approval.